Help with kitchen design

Kitchen designs are pivotal to the home design, but choosing the right designer is even more important. Find out what an expert recommends you do to ensure you get the most out of your kitchen design.

Q. What should a person look for in choosing a kitchen designer?

A. Make sure their style suits the type of kitchen design you're after. And always ask to see examples of their work.

Q. Do you provide guarantees for your work?

A. That's not really applicable to my industry, but as a guide, a good kitchen designer will only use and recommend tradespeople who provide guarantees for their work.

Q. What should people do when planning a kitchen renovation?

A. Start looking through kitchen magazines and visiting showrooms to work out which looks and finishes you do and don't like. Then decide on your kitchen renovation budget so you'll know what sort of finish and final result you can afford - that will be vital information when you approach a kitchen designer or cabinet-maker.

Q. Your expert advice for turning a dream kitchen into a reality?

A. Think whether that dream suits your house and lifestyle. The kitchen you choose should suit everything from the rest of your house to how you plan to use the kitchen, to the area you live in. If you live in a beach suburb your kitchen will likely differ from what you'd expect to find in a rural home.

Q. If you're renovating a kitchen on a budget, what should you spend your money on?

A. Two things: getting the design spot on - so that means employing someone who is an expert in that area - and, other than that, the kitchen benchtops. It's the most tactile surface in your kitchen and the one people immediately notice.